The Benefits of Pumpkin in Your Dog's Diet

As we enter October and the bad weather is really starting to take hold here in Cornwall, it's the time of year that we turn our minds to some tasty autumnal treats. And when it comes to autumnal treats there's no vegetable that is more synonymous with autumn than the mighty pumpkin. Whether it's in spiced lattes, deliciously sweet pies or carved out as decorative and spectacularly spooky lamps ready for the halloween season, at The Pets Larder we think pumpkin is the ultimate autumnal foodstuff.

Pumpkin not only makes for tasty treats and terrifying torches it is also a superfood for dogs too! Containing a plethora of brilliant benefits and essential nutrients for your canine companions, this spectacular superfood really is the perfect addition to your dog's diet this autumn. 

The Nutritional Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs

The beautifully orange insides of the phenomenal pumpkin hold a whole host of vitamins,  minerals and other nutritional niceties inside them that can help to maintain and improve the health of your dogs. 

The perfect pumpkin is a rich source of Vitamin A, or beta-carotene, which is essential for supporting eyesight, bone maintenance, reproduction and your dog’s immune response. Pumpkin also contains smaller amounts of Vitamins C and E, which are responsible for cell regeneration, inflammation reduction and cell function and metabolism regulation, respectively. In terms of essential minerals, pumpkin contains a high amount of potassium, which supports the regulation of blood pressure and the upkeep of your dog's muscle health, as well as being a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, folate and iron which are all necessary to keep your dogs as healthy as can be for as long as they can. 

Pumpkin is also a great source of easily soluble fibre and prebiotics and is therefore ideal for those dogs with sensitive tummies or other digestive issues. Easily soluble fibre adds essential roughage and bulk to your dog’s stool and reduces the potential for diarrhoea, this fibre also helps to reduce the acidity in the digestive tract making for more efficient and healthy digestion. The prebiotics contained within pumpkin helps to support the growth and presence of good bacteria in the digestive tract and is a great addition to the diet when helping to maintain your dog's digestive health.

Pumpkin can also be a good tool to help with weight loss in dogs due to its high moisture and fibre content, which helps dogs to feel fuller for longer without consuming so many calories.

Our Favourite Pumpkin Products

At Natural Cornish Pet we stock a range of products that utilise the nutritional goodness of the fabulous pumpkin and we've chosen a few of our favourites so you can add all of the enjoyment and benefits that it can bring to your dog’s diet. 

The Pets Larder - Pumpkin & Carrot Lobster Vegetable Chews

Our very own all natural, gluten and grain free Pumpkin and Carrot Dual Bones are a delicious way of giving your furry friends a tasty autumnal boost. Naturally low in fat and completely meat free, these bones not only give your dog a great nutritional boost, they are a good way to reduce your dog’s carbon pawprint too. Reducing the amount of meat your dog consumes by making their treats and chews vegetable based helps to reduce damaging farming practices and is much better for the environment. Like all of our wonderful own brand products you can be sure that these bones are all natural, made with only the best ingredients and are free from any added nastiness. 

Soopa - Carrot & Pumpkin Dental Sticks

Another great product that combines the melange of cool carrot and perfect pumpkin are the Soopa Carrot & Pumpkin Dental Sticks. These sticks utilise the seeds of the pumpkin which are nutritionally excellent for your dogs teeth, coat, skin and digestive system. These dental sticks help to keep your dog’s teeth clean, help to prevent stinky breath, are meat free and have a recipe made up of a plethora of nutritionally rich super ingredients such as coconut oil, turmeric and those brilliantly beneficial pumpkin seeds. 

Woolf - Chicken, Pumpkin and Oat Bones

These opulently orange Chicken, Pumpkin and Oat Bones from the wonderful Woolf are a protein rich treat that is suitable for dogs of all ages. Packed full of all the benefits that pumpkin provides alongside the protein punch of top quality human grade chicken and the slow release energy of the awesome oat, these tasty treats are a must this autumn. As these treats are made and packed with no added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives you can be sure you will be giving your pooches only the very best. 

So, this October when you’re baking some autumnal goodies or you’re treating yourself to a spiced latte, don't forget to treat your dogs too and pick them up one of our phenomenal pumpkin based treats and watch with love as they devour them with delight.